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July 17, 2011

Equal Opportunity Craft

I am one of those horrible people who will not read directions. My mom was that way, too.

So that is the way that I have approached quilting. I am not really a quilter. Back in the day, I worked at Jo-Ann's Fabrics when it was a much more enjoyable space and all the ladies who quilted would come in and I'd cut fabric for them. Most of it was teeny tiny flower prints and muslin and still, I pined for the idea of seeing their finished projects. In those days--yes, I'm that old--they didn't machine quilt like they do today. Instead, they'd piece the thing together using a machine and then quilt the item using a big hoop or stand by hand or they'd have a quilting bee where they'd sort of help each other out once a week or so. I understand that some of them had cocktails.

I must be an old soul or something because around that time, back in the mid-80's, I did do some quilts by hand. I have one sitting in the cupboard that I meant to give to a best girlfriend for her wedding. I was going to be her maid of honor and then, last minute, she called me up and uninvited me. No Quilt For You!

I still have it, and it is horribly out of date, but I will never, ever throw it away. I sort of like being the Quilt Nazi.

So, after I finished my third book, Custom Knits Accessories (yes, a *third* I've been busy), I turned to a non-yarny craft to take a break. I made this quilt.

I tend to buy fabric that catches my eye in 1/2 yard pieces and hoard them. And when I saw a girlfriend of mine, Kaity, post a YouTube video of quilters racing to finish a "jelly roll" quilt, I instantly thought of the fabric I had on hold.

So, I made myself a jelly roll of my own--no need to buy one--just 40 strips of 44" x 2.5" fabric and randomly picked them up and sewed them together based on the video. Then, I sandwiched it with some backing (bleached muslin) and machine quilted it with simple straight lines about one-half inch apart. I didn't even use one of those fancy walking feet because I like the ripply effect.

I doubt most quilters would appreciate what I did.

But, that's okay.

I like it and that is all that matters.

My wish is that whatever you do, whatever you choose to craft, that you do it the way you want to do it. You don't need any stinking manual. . .

. . . Unless it is the type of manual that tells you to follow your own heart.

I like following my own heart. It is broken and beaten up and uplifted and moved and all that. I think that's the key, don't you?

Comments

That, like everything you make, is absolutely stunning! I have been thinking of making a quilt, and now I'm inspired. I love the idea of collecting fabric that strikes your fancy in 1/2 yards. That makes it really affordable, too!

I completely agree about following your heart. I have a real problem following patterns ever since I started designing myself. Now if I follow a pattern, I tweak it a bit, do it my way, add something, remove something. It's very empowering and rewarding.

Kudos from another occasional quilter who is inspired by what the rest do but still makes it up as she goes along. I also like the wrinkles. For my sister, I'd do the quilt before drying the fabric, then toss it in the washer and dryer. The way it shrinks is kind of charming, and she loved charming handmade stuff as much as anyone I know. Here's hoping her girls develop the same appreciation. I'm doing my best to cultivate it. :)

broken, beaten up, and uplifted,
and all that. i always wonder if that's how the ancestors felt. my g'ma had 2 marriages and 12 kids during and post the depression and my g'pa worked for the CCC and TVA. i have a 'special' baby quilt made for me, where every bit is from the same few sets of fabric, and an 'every day' quilt from shirts and ties, and she ran out of the border fabric, so it's only the same on 3 edges...the only thing that matches is that it's mostly shades of blue fabric. i can only imagine - was it a chore, or was it a bit of whimsy that she got to indulge in for relief from life in appalachia? i remember when she got an indoor potty. it was the same year i got contacts, in mid 1970's.
so, i figure your quilt is just fine! be sure to tell girlfriend the story.
skubitwo

It's beautiful. The colors are gorgeous and it is so you. And this is coming from one someone has been quilting since the 80s and used to buy all those little flower prints -- until I discovered batiks, my second love (second only to yarn).

Stunning. I have been saving my husbands old dress shirts and started cuttng them up to make a quilt for my son. I am so not a quilter so i am just wingng armed only with what knowldege i have been getting by readng everything i can. Wish me luck!

As a quilter and a knitter I appreciate your comments on many levels. The love made items I give as gifts provide hugs from me to the new owners. While I like many styles I hate rules for my crafts so I like to be inventive. Thanks for sharing. Your books are notated by my 3 DD as to which sweaters they want and which colors.

Made my own strip quilt (all red and white) a few months ago and I am hooked! Throw it over a chair and wait for tons of compliments. Love your color combos! I am working on a pink vintage one for my daughter's bed now!

That's the beauty of hand crafts. You have permission to make what appeals to YOU. Your quilt is happy and beautiful. I follow directions when I have to have a certain result. Otherwise, it's "to hell with the directions" and I do it my way. Sometimes it works and sometimes it works even better.